BMG Reviews

Vox AC30 Video Review from Pro Tools Expert

BMG Special fan and session guitars ace and Dan Cooper from PRO TOOLS EXPERT has just shared this personal appraisal of the new Vietnamese built hand-wired Vox range with with a demo of the 30 watt, twin 12" Celestion Alnico Blue loaded HW2X model.

Dan explains the reasons for purchasing the HW2X as a replacement to his current 1990's Vox AC30 6TB performing a trio of Queen covers - "We Will Rock You", "God Save The Queen" and "Bohemian Rhapsody"- using a Burns & BMG Special, with and without an external BSM treble booster.


BMG Signed Mini May Offers Now Closed

The allocation of MINI MAY guitars for our "One Voice" and "Summer Tour" offers is now closed, with all instruments prepped to receive Brian's signature as soon as he returns home from the Queen + Adam Lambert Asian Tour.

Our thanks go out to all the BM fans who have completed their orders over the last fortnight for their continued patience...

By way of a teaser, here's an "unboxing" tribute from BMG customer Michele de Nadal, showing you what to expect in the next few weeks!!


BMG Review from Rock Licks

Many, many thanks to James Rundle from South Shields, UK for this great overview of the Brian May Guitars website and the BMG range.

A guitar teacher with over 30 years of playing experience, James will be familiar to many of you from his popular YouTube channel ROCK LICKS GUITAR TUITION.

Dedicated to the music of Queen and Brian May and aimed at beginner and intermediate guitarists, his videos feature no-nonsense, easy to follow song lessons with full guitar tab as well as technique tutorials, gear reviews and Queen chat.

Rock Licks is also home to CHARLIE LEARNS GUITAR, a series of videos featuring James' son (and rock-star in waiting) Charlie Rundle with his BMG MINI MAY as he masters the riffs from rock anthems including "Iron Man", Living After Midnight", "Seven Nation Army", "Eye Of The Tiger" and "Dragon Attack".


Guitar & Bass Magazine's Vox AC30 Special

Whilst the torrid tale of the "Old Lady" has been well and truly told in Carton Books' superb 2014 book BRIAN MAY'S RED SPECIAL, the August 2016 edition of GUITAR & BASS sees that lavish volume's co-author Simon Bradley dishing the dirt on Brian May's long standing love affair with the AC30 and - with the help of his veteran tech Pete Malandrone - taking a in-depth look at Brian's awesome Vox driven backline.

Needless to say, this is absolutely essential reading for anyone with an interest in the history of this classic amp and in Brian May's remarkable on-stage tone.

RED THE FULL ARTICLE HERE


The Ultimate BMG Special Review?

A huge shout-out to young Brazilian guitarist Lucas Vianna for a quite superb review of the BMG Special that may well prove to be the ultimate guide to this amazingly versatile instrument.

Currently principal guitarist in the new Brazilian production of We Will Rock You in São Paulo, Lucas evidently knows his way around this guitar and - courtesy of some slick graphics and his exemplary technique - does a excellent job of breaking down the idiosyncrasies of the BM switching system. But what makes this professionally produced video so darn entertaining is the way he demonstrates just how jaw-droppingly protean the Special truly is.

Of course, the Queen-style voicings are spot on, thank you very much, but the real fun is hearing Lucas using the Special to deliver seriously authentic takes on David Gilmour's "Time" solo, Jimmy Page's feral rhythm tone from "Whole Lotta Love" and the distinctive riffs from Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing", Deep Purple's "Burn" and Kurt Cobain's alt-rock anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

We've long maintained that there really is no guitar from any manufacturer at this price that delivers as much as the Special - this video demonstrates that point perfectly and is essential viewing for anybody still on the fence about buying one.


Guitar Interactive BMG Review Special

Issue 40 of Guitar Interactive sees master guitarist and We Will Rock You veteran, Jamie Humphries take control of the always excellent free online magazine for a massive tribute to Brian May.

"Choosing a Brian May Special or, even better, a Super, will set you apart from the crowd... you will get a fabulous guitar in either case and one that will go places other guitars simply cannot venture into"

Alongside brand new interviews with Brian and his long serving tech Pete Malandrone (available exclusively in the magazine's online edition), Jamie presents a trio of extensive video reviews of the BMG Super, the BMG Special and the electro acoustic BMG Rhapsody.

The bumper edition also includes appraisals of Nigel Knight's Deacy amp replica, the Vox Custom AC30C2 and the full range of Greg Fryer/Knight Audio and KAT treble boosters.

BM aficionados should head to the GI website to check out Jamie's web-exclusive "Tone On A Budget" video in which the BMG Special is just one element in an eminently affordable hardware solution to the age-old conundrum of how to get the Brian May sound without blowing the bank.

READ MORE HERE.


Shout Out to BMG from Pro Tools Expert

The latest podcast (#206) from the always informative and engaging team at PRO TOOLS EXPERT published today includes a great shout out to Brian May Guitars from resident guitar guru Dan Cooper.

The studio ace and BRIT school graduate has long been a Special fan, having previously owned a Burns model for 13 years, but, for his "find of the week", the recent purchase of a stunning new natural finish BMG model has "confirmed to me why I love this style of guitar".

Evidently Dan is a very happy man with his new acquisition...

"it's awesome... I have not put it down all week!"

Most importantly, he clearly believes exactly what we and so many reviewers and BMG players have also come to understand...

"It's a Strat-killer in the studio. it's got 13 different pickup selections, a better neck, a clever tremolo. A lot of clients that work with me, they love that guitar because it can do anything, very well. It's not like "oh, we'll sound like Brian May today"... we can make it sound like a Les Paul or a Telecaster... it's absolutely amazing, cheaper than a USA Strat, and - I think - built better".

LISTEN TO DAN'S "FIND OF THE WEEK" HERE.


New BMG Video Review from Pro Tools Expert

Online community website PRO TOOLS EXPERT recently featured a great, down-to-earth appraisal of the BMG Special from resident guitar ace Dan Cooper.

Dan, a BRIT school graduate and long term BMG aficionado, does an excellent job of showcasing the wonders of the Special during his engaging and energetic video review, deftly explaining the mysteries of the switching system and tremolo assembly and ably demonstrating why the Special makes such a superb - and affordable - addition to his own studio arsenal.


Guitar & Bass Magazine Reviews The BMG Bass

"Even if the inescapable Queen association doesn’t appeal to you, the Brian May Bass is still a refreshing ’60s-inspired instrument"

Gareth Morgan, one of the UK's foremost 4-string experts, finds that there is plenty of fun to be had with the Brian May Bass in his glowing appraisal of the instrument for the August 2014 issue of G&B.

Gareth rates highly the playability of this medium scale beauty and, construction-wise, gives particular credit to the "expertly applied" Antique Cherry finish and the "comfortable and highly playable" matching neck.

Sonically, he finds even more to be excited about... "The basic sound - both pickups on, with the tone knob at full - is excellent: nice and fat with growling lows and an overall feeling of controlled aggression".

In his summary, we think Gareth is right on the money when he declares the BM Bass "an unusual and fine-looking beast with a heap of ’60s flavour which harks back to wilder times".

Better still, he found it "highly playable and great fun to whizz around on"... isn't that what bass playing should always be about!?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.


Guitar Interactive Reviews The BMG Special

"They really are very good, excellent value for money and offer great versatility for a beginner, a Brian fan or a pro"

Michael Casswell is certainly no stranger to BMG, having used his handpicked Black 'n' Gold Special extensively in the pit band for WWRY London and for his superb Queen/Brian May dedicated instructional DVD's for Lick Library. So, it was entirely fitting that he was tasked with reviewing the new 2012 iteration of the Special for the latest issue of online magazine, Guitar Interactive. 

Needless to say, Mike is impressed with the upgrades evident in the MK. III models...  "They're getting better and better" he says, enthusing over the enhanced resonance, the quality and comfort of its neck, the performance of the newly appointed Wilkinson tremolo and the "organic" vintage sound of the BM branded Tri-Sonic style pickups.

In the accompanying video, Michael demonstrates exactly why the Special stands on its own merits as a superb studio and live instrument with a unique personality and unmatched versatility.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.


Guitarist Magazine Reviews The BMG Bass

"Delightful to play, with its own character and sounds – recommended"

Whilst Roger Newell admits that he initially found the concept of a Brian May style bass "a somewhat curious design choice", the Guitarist Magazine veteran and bass guru certainly seems to have warmed to the idea, discovering that the medium scale BM Bass is "well styled and nicely built" and delivers an "unexpected variety of solid sounds".

Roger concludes that "If you want something off the beaten track, the Brian May Bass has a great deal to offer" and awards it 4 out of 5 stars

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.


Rhapsody Reaction

A review of the BMG Rhapsody Electro-Acoustic Guitar from a very happy customer...

Hi folks

after MONTHS of waiting I finally got my Antique Cherry Rhapsody Guitar yesterday, and I LOVE IT! The pick-up is great and is worth the price alone! Truly a guitar dream come true! Congratulations!

I like to thank you with this little sketch I did in honour of a Queen track that features some good acoustic strumming. I call it - "They Never Had It So Good!" 

Cheers! 
Hennes Bender


Guitarist Approves The BMG Super

"The dream of all Brian May fans has finally been realised...

The Super is as genuine a recreation of the Red Special as is realistic for what is a pretty good price"

The UK's "Guitar Player's Bible" delivered their own verdict on the internationally acclaimed BMG Super in their February '09 issue with a glowing 4.5 star review by Simon Bradley, a man who knows more than a thing or two about the Red Special.

Simon lavishes suitably abundant praise on every aspect of the Super - its construction, finish and overall build quality, the "truly wonderful to play" neck design, its quite staggering versatility and, of course, for the painstaking attention to detail that puts this instrument "closer in vibe, tone and feel to the original Red Special than any other hitherto realistically available copy".

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.


Norwegian Wood?

A letter of thanks from yet another satisfied BMG customer, who managed to snap up this beautiful sunburst Special, signed by Brian May.

Thank you for giving me the chance to buy this beautiful Brian May guitar.

A lot of my friends have already been able to admire it.

A heartfelt thank you also for the “accessories” you gave me”

Please find enclosed a couple of pictures showing how it’s displayed

Arild Willersrud
Norway


Interview with Michael Caswell

Brian May Guitars recently met with guitar ace, MICHAEL CASSWELL to talk candidly with him about his experience with the BMG Special.

Michael's credits as a musician, songwriter, singer and producer include Ronan Keating, Rose Royce, drum legend Cozy Powell, Dean Freidman, ex-Kajagoogoo singer Limahl, Rhino's Revenge Band and Brian May. His playing has been heard on countless TV Ads, jingles, theme tunes and soundtracks, including the cult 1985 William Friedkin crime drama “To Live And Die In LA”.

Currently one of the principal guitarists in We Will Rock You, London, Michael very kindly took time out from his exhaustive schedule to offer some insight into how the BMG Special measures up in such a high pressure gig.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE.


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